How to Lift

Put one knee on the ground, and use your arms
and legs to move the object up onto the opposite thigh. Stand
up. Never bend at the waist while lifting.

When lifting, maneuver the object close to your body,
and use the strength in your legs to get the object off the ground,
rather than your low back.

Have you ever heard of anyone straining a thigh muscle
while lifting? Probably not. That is because the muscles in the legs
are longer, stronger and more resistant to strain. The muscles and
ligaments in the back are shorter and prone to muscle spasm.

Start with one knee on the floor, use the strength of
your arms to raise the object up onto your mid-thigh, then use the
power of your legs to stand up. An alternate method is to bend both
knees in a squatting position, grasp the object keeping fingers underneath
it, keep your back erect and stand up. In both examples, use your leg
muscles, not your back, to generate the lifting force.

Our spine center offices serve all of Vermont, including the communities of Burlington, Bennington, Rutland, Manchester, Barre, and Montpelier, upper New York state including Saratoga Springs and Queensbury, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

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You might be surprised to learn that 80 percent of the time, back and neck pain is simply a result of strain or soft tissue injury. Click here to learn about the different conditions related to neck and back pain and how to relieve symptoms through treatment.

The vast majority of back problems improve on their own or with nonsurgical treatment. There are a few warning signs, however, that may indicate serious spinal problems. Weakness or numbness in a leg or arm, especially if it is severe—and it is getting worse—also points to nerve damage. Nerve damage associated with these symptoms can be permanent if not treated immediately. Numbness, pain or tingling that radiates into the arm or leg is also a source for concern and should be seen within a few days by a spine specialist.

Click here to learn more about what symptoms mean and when to see a doctor.

The vast majority of back problems improve on their own or with nonsurgical treatment. There are a few warning signs, however, that may indicate serious spinal problems. Please take a moment to view frequently asked questions that can help you understand pain symptoms.

Dr. Rob Giering specializes in developing non-surgical treatment options for back and neck pain patients, including the use of customized spine therapy techniques and spinal injections that relieve inflammation around nerve roots. These injections enable many patients to resolve their symptoms without the need for surgery. Click here to learn more.

Taconic Spine emphasizes activity as the key to relief from back and neck pain. The Vermont spine center mails out a free 36-page Home Remedy Book for back pain and neck pain with pain-relieving stretches that can be done on the living room rug while watching TV. These customized exercises make the back stronger, more flexible and resistant to injury. Click here to learn more.

New minimally invasive spine surgery tools and techniques used by the spine surgeon at Taconic Spine reduce the length of the incision and enables the person to go home quicker and have a less painful recovery.